UofM Aviation Program Reaching New Heights with National Accolades
October 11, 2023 鈥� At just five years old, the University of Memphis Commercial Aviation program can鈥檛 drive much less fly, yet that didn鈥檛 prevent two of its top students from landing prestigious scholarships at the University Aviation Association鈥檚 76th annual conference held in St. Petersburg, Fla., in September.
Cade Plunk and Brandon Carrol, both commercial aviation majors from Pickwick, Tenn., represented the UofM at the conference with assistant professor Captain Kimberly Coryat.
With 96 students enrolled this semester, the young program already earned the support of FedEx founder Fred Smith and has now made a name for itself at the national level as one of the few collegiate aviation programs, and certainly the smallest, to earn two awards in the same year.
The awards are based on the quality of the nomination鈥檚 content, demonstrated academic and research skills and the impact of the student鈥檚 work across the field of aviation.
According to Coryat, Carrol and Plunk represent an elite group of dedicated aviation students with a history of excellence.
鈥淎viation is a very complex industry. It takes years and tens of thousands of dollars to produce a pilot ready to fly for a major airline,鈥� Coryat said. 鈥淕raduates of the UofM鈥檚 Commercial Aviation program, like graduates of other collegiate aviation programs, have only part of the certification and experience required to be hired by an airline. Our graduates must work as flight instructors and other part-time jobs to gain the experience needed to qualify for a job with an airline.鈥�
Plunk, a junior, received the Joseph Frasca Excellence in Aviation Scholarship worth $2,000. During his sophomore year of high school, Plunk took a flight with a friend who is a pilot. By his senior year, Plunk set his sights on a career in the clouds as a commercial airline pilot. He made headway toward that goal even before beginning at the UofM.
He began college at Northeast Mississippi Community College, earning his private pilot license, and learned about the University of Memphis program in 2018.
Carroll, a sophomore, received the UAA President鈥檚 Choice scholarship, also worth $2,000. A member of the Tennessee Army National Guard, Carroll鈥檚 initial interest in aviation began during his freshman year of high school when he needed to pick up volunteer hours as a member of the National Honor Society. He volunteered at the annual fly-in at his local airport, KSNH, and found a deep interest in airplanes and flying.
Both students combine attending on-campus classes at the UofM with logging flight hours at Crew Training International (CTI) in Millington to complete the 120-hour undergraduate degree. They are thrilled that next year鈥檚 UAA conference will take place in Memphis and are eager to see the program continue its ascension.
鈥淏y cultivating a love for flying, I can contribute to the legacy of excellence in aviation and inspire future generations to reach even greater heights,鈥� Plunk said.
For more information about the University of Memphis Aviation Program visit /cpls/programs/avia.php.